What is Dimbleby Cancer Care?

Dimbleby Cancer Care is the new name for the Richard Dimbleby Cancer Fund. RDCF was established in 1966 in Richard’s memory.

In 1965, Richard Dimbleby, one of Britain’s most distinguished BBC radio and television broadcasters, died of cancer. The admiration in which he was held (not just for his broadcasting but for his courage in revealing publicly that he was suffering from cancer - a taboo subject in those days) was evident at his memorial service in Westminster Abbey where the congregation overflowed across the cloisters.

Within weeks the foundations of what is now Dimbleby Cancer Care were laid with public donations in Richard’s memory. The charity’s twin aims were – and remain – to help develop better care services for those living with cancer, and to research the causes of cancer.

Cancer Care

“A comfortable pillow”
While he was being treated at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, Richard Dimbleby said that if he could be granted one wish it would be for everyone in the hospital to have a comfortable pillow.

Taking its cue from him, Dimbleby Cancer Care is devoted to improving the conditions of those suffering from cancer. Our support takes many forms. We support the Cancer Information and Support Centres at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals in London.

The centre offers counselling and psychological help; popular therapies such as massage and aromatherapy; information and help on social security and other practical issues; and it runs a range of support groups where people who share similar problems can meet and discuss their experiences. Find out more at Dimbleby Cancer Information and Support Service

Research Fund

The Dimbleby Cancer Care Research Fund was established in 2005, and considers applications for research grants for projects which relate to DCC’s overall aim to improve cancer care services.

In addition to the well-documented need for further clinical research to improve palliative and end-of-life care in hospital, hospice or at home, there is also a sharply growing demand for better communication and psychosocial care throughout a patient’s cancer experience, and that of their carers.

The Research Fund, under the guidance of DCC’s Advisory Board, allocates money for research projects once a year. To find out more about the Dimbleby Cancer Care Research Fund, and how to apply, click here: Dimbleby Cancer Care Research Fund

To complement its research activities, Dimbleby Cancer Care Research Fund is planning a series of conferences. For more information about future conferences, click here: Conferences

Cancer Research at King’s College, London

We also fund a Dimbleby Professorship at King’s College London - the Chair in the Functional Genomics of Cancer - a chair at present held by Professor Tony Ng who works closely with doctors and patients to improve cancer treatment.

Professor Ng says: “Basic science and laboratory-based research is fundamental to improving patient care and treatment in the future. By collaborating with health professionals and scientists from a range of disciplines, I hope to ensure that my research moves from bench to bedside and provides benefits to patients as quickly as possible.”

Professor Ng’s work currently includes utilising molecular mechanisms which control cancer cell spread in order to design specific targeting approaches using chemical compounds or gene-based therapeutic approaches that do not require virus infection.

A further focus of their work is developing technologies in the field of cancer cell and tissue imaging in order to help evaluate patients’ disease progression. To learn more about Professor Ng's work, click here: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/biohealth/research/randall/tng.html